Origin : Cuba
Format : Corona Extra
Size : 5 (127 mm) x 48
Release : 2010
Hand-Made
Price : 215 € for a box of 25
Many thanks to Frédéric from La Casa del Habano Knokke (Belgium) for sending me these cigars for review! Check out the shop for a nice selection of Cubans.
Fonseca is a discreet Cuban brand that only has four sizes in the current production. I haven’t had a chance to try many of their offerings, I just remember being unimpressed with their smaller cigar, the KDT Cadetes that I bought a fiver of two years ago. Not enough body, not enough flavor, and I quickly lost interest in the brand. In 2010, the very first Fonseca regional edition was released, a corona extra for Benelux. The Fonseca No. 4, as this release is called, is what we have for review today.
Appearance : Rating: 
All Fonseca cigars are wrapped in thin rice paper, the bands being placed on top of it. Once the paper is removed, I am presented with a strikingly beautiful stick, shining in the sunlight thanks to its oily and flawless wrapper. The veins are very thin, with two long ones running the length of the cigar. Soft to the touch and compact, the Fonseca No. 4 is a pleasure to hold.
Construction : Rating:
Nothing to report here, really. After I easily cut the cap with my guillotine, the draw was excellent at all times and the burn line never wandered too far, resulting in a sturdy light gray ash. The cigar produced nice amounts of white thick smoke.
Flavor : Rating: 
There’s a decent amount of spice in the first third, with a solid woody background. The smoke is rather round and creamy, pleasantly caressing the palate. Medium-bodied from the beginning, the cigar slowly deploys its flavors, which are basic yet enjoyable. Again, there’s wood, a hint of spice that is present throughout the smoke after an initial burst, roasted coffee here and there. The flavors remain consistent until the end while the strength of the cigar increases a little.
Value : Rating:
Unlike a lot of regional editions, these Fonsecas do not command a $15+ price tag. Given their top notch construction, solid flavors and good looks, I consider them a decent value.
Overall Rating : Rating: 
I was pleasantly surprised by this release. With all its qualities and definite room for ageing, Fonseca No. 4 is worth trying. It also made me go out and buy a sampler of Fonseca Delicias which I am planning to review soon. Thanks again to LCDH Knokke for the opportunity to sample it!
This post was written by Denis aka Inspector, who founded CigarInspector.com back in 2007. Click here for his latest articles and more information.
